The popular instant messaging app has confirmed it will be modifying its compatibility requirements in the coming months. This means that some phones that currently work without issue will lose official support, and in practice, the app may no longer function correctly on them. The change affects both Android and iPhone devices, although the implementation dates differ.
According to information published in WhatsApp's help center, the first change will arrive on September 8, 2026. From that day forward, only phones with Android 6.0 or later versions will be supported. Currently, the minimum requirement is Android 5.0, so devices still running Android 5.0 or 5.1 will be excluded. For iPhones, the deadline is November 30, 2026, when iOS 15.5 or later will be required, instead of the current iOS 15.1.
The company explains that it regularly reviews the operating systems it maintains support for. Each year, it analyzes which devices are the oldest and which have a small number of users. The lack of security updates and features necessary to run newer versions of the application also plays a role. This decision allows the company to focus development on systems that are still supported and have the necessary technical capabilities to offer a stable and secure service.
For users, the problem mainly arises on phones that no longer receive official updates. If the manufacturer hasn't released an Android 6.0 or higher version for that model, there will be no way to meet the new requirement. The situation is similar for Apple: iPhones that can't be updated to iOS 15.5 will be excluded, although the deadline is slightly later.
Although the operating system version is the primary requirement, some models have been mentioned as likely to be unable to update. Among Android devices, the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Ace 4, and Galaxy Core II stand out. Several LG models are also listed, such as the Optimus G, Optimus L5 II, Optimus L7 II, L70, and L90. On the Apple side, the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus are the most likely to lose support, as they cannot be updated beyond iOS 12 or 15, depending on the model.
It's important to note that there isn't an official, closed list of compatible models . What really matters is the version of Android or iOS installed. If your phone has Android 6.0 or higher, or iOS 15.5 or later, you won't have any problems. If it's older, but the manufacturer offers an update, you can continue using WhatsApp as long as you install it before the deadline.
To check your operating system version, go to your phone's settings. On Android, you usually need to go to "About phone" or "Device information" and look for the "Android version" section. On iPhone, the path is "Settings" → "General" → "About." If you see that you have Android 5.0 or 5.1, or iOS 15.1 or earlier, you should check for an available update. If there is no official update, your device will no longer be supported , and WhatsApp may stop working correctly.
WhatsApp has announced that it will notify affected users through in-app notifications. It will also send reminders so you can take action before the change takes effect. However, don't wait for the notification: it's best to check now and act in advance.
If your device can't be updated, the best advice is to back up your conversations before you lose access. WhatsApp lets you save your chat history to Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone). Go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup and enable automatic backup or create a manual backup. This way, you can recover your chats on a future phone without losing anything important.
Another option is to consider buying a new phone, but before that, make sure the model you're interested in is compatible with the minimum required versions. If you don't want to change your phone, keep in mind that WhatsApp Web will continue to work on computers, but you'll need a compatible phone to scan the QR code and keep your session active.
The browser version is unaffected by these changes. WhatsApp Web remains compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, and the recommended browsers are Chrome 85, Edge 85, Firefox 115, Safari 15.2, and Opera 85. The company notes that calls work best on recent versions of these browsers, so it's advisable to keep them updated.
In short, September 8, 2026, is the key date for Android users, and November 30 for iPhone users. If your phone has an older version of the operating system and can't be updated, you'll have to switch devices if you want to continue using WhatsApp. The company will give advance notice, but it's advisable to check your status as soon as possible and back up your data to avoid any surprises.
